Articles of Confederation
document adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777 and adopted by the states in 1781 outlining the form of governement for the U.S. A.; states more powerful than national government
introduction to the Constitution, "We the people..."
system of government where power is shared among the central or federal government and the states
powers assigned to national government in the Constitution
powers kept by the states
each side giving up something in order to gain something else
plan proposed by Edmund Randolph of Virginia in 1787, proposed a 3 branch government, 2 house legislature where representation is based on states' population or wealth
New Jersey Plan
government plan that called for one house legislature, each state having one vote
3/5 of slave population counted when setting direct taxes and to determine representation in legislature
separtion of powers
division of basic government roles into branches to keep any one branch from gaining too much power
makes laws: congress, senate
enforces laws: president is the chief executive
interprets the laws, courts (judicial = judges)
checks and balances
ability of each branch of government to exercise checks or controls over other branches
all laws begin as a bill, introduced by the House of Representatives for discussion
federal government given power to make all laws "necessary and proper" - loose interpretation of Constitution
changes, additions to the Constitution
Bill of Rights
the first 10 amendments to the Constitution added in 1791 consisting of a list of citizens' rights and freedoms
supporters of the Consititution
person who was against the ratification (passing) of the Constitution
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